FEBRUARY 21, 2022 BURNS

A burn is an injury to the tissue of the body caused by a chemical, radiation or electricity., Serous burns must always be seen by a doctor. Minor burns can be seen by a nurse or can be treated without medical attention.

There are many treatments some of which you never heard of. I love the folklore remedies like crushed blueberries, honey, or a raw potato applied directly to the burn for instant relief. The most common is to immerse the area in cool water for 10 minutes. You then can use drops of St. John's wort.

The herbs that can be used include aloe vera, marigold tincture (which is calendula) and even echinacea tincture. Some essential oils that may be used are lavender and geranium oil in a liter of cooled water that was first boiled. The homeopathic remedies have the #1 product that most people are used to. This is arnica. Urtica and hypericum and even aconite can be used. The one Bach remedy that should be used to calm the nerves is Rescue Remedy.

I was recently sent an email about using egg whites for burns. In my research I have never seen this in the scientific literature. For me it doesn't have to be in scientific literature, but I found it in no herbal, homeopathic or flower essence textbook either. The directions are to spread the egg white over the burned area after it has been cooled in cold (not freezing) water. This was due to the collagen in the egg whites.

I would rather do the other remedies which I am comfortable with and not try egg whites just yet.

Until tomorrow...

FEBRUARY 17, 2022 A BRUISE

It only takes a moment to get a Hamamelis virginia compress. What is that? This is a Witch Hazel compress. I feel witch hazel is underutilized today. It is known for the fragrant yellow flowers grown in the United States. Properties of this herb include anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and astringent. I know my dad used it for sprains and soreness after driving his 18 wheeler to Albany for deliveries for Rabinowe & Company. Use it externally for cuts and bruises and as a compress for sprains, phlebitis, sunburn and hot swollen joints.

For a real preparation in the wilderness: put 25 grams of the bark in 1 pint of water. Simmer for 10 minutes. Strain and allow to cool. Dip a cloth in the cool decoction, wring and apply to area. It is a great soothing agent. Collection and use of the bark on this manner is called wild crafting.

Witch hazel has even been used in hemorrhoid preparations.

Until tomorrow..

FEBRUARY 16, 2022 GROWING HOUSE PLANTS

Do you have house plants? Do you grow a specific species of plants? I know someone in Rhode island who is fascinated and grows Bonsai. Caring for a bonsai is an all -consuming hobby in its own right, but it is a true art form. The same could be said for those who grow orchids. I was a member of the Manhattan Orchid Society when it was on W58 th Street some years ago.

Did you ever think you could have a dangerous or poisonous house plant within your House or apartment? Think again. During the Christmas holiday we are all fascinated by the Poinsettia. When I was a child my mother always cautioned us to watch the dogs as the plant was poisonous. The sap of the plant is mildly irritating.

A House plant that I and many others grow is the Peace Lily. It is a South American plant with simple white flowers. It resembles the Calla lilies. Remember Katharine Hepburn stating: "The calla lilies are in bloom again."

In 2005 and 2007 more people called poison control about the hazards of this plant. Can you imagine that! The plant, like others contains calcium oxalate crystals that can bring on skin irritation, burning of the mouth, nausea and difficulty swallowing. I can't imagine an adult going over to the plant and taking a bite of a leaf. But there are children and animals that might. The other plant that contain calcium oxalates is the Philodendron. Ingestion of the leaves could lead to severe abdominal pain. I highly recommend a book called “ Wicked Plants “by Amy Stewart. It is fascinating and a good read.

Other plants I find interesting which can lead to medical emergencies are the following:

1. Dumb Cane

2. Pencil Cactus

3. Ficus Tree

4. Christmas Cherry

The idea of any hobby is truly getting to know your hobby. I want your hobby to be happy, joyous and free. I never want it to be harmful or deadly.

Until tomorrow…

FEBRUARY 15, 2022 COLLOIDAL SILVER

All living things exist in a colloidal state. An important concept for medicine used as the body must convert it from crystalline form to colloidal form. Have you ever heard of colloidal silver? The chances are good that you haven't. I never heard it discussed in my medical school basic core curriculum nor in any residency including Infectious Disease training. Surely not in Cardiology.

Silver is a powerful antibiotic which has been used for thousands of years. There has never been a harmful side effect, except using too much colloidal silver can change the color of your skin. You might start looking like the Tin Man from the 1939 Wizard of Oz. The ancient Greeks and Romans knew that if their plates, drinking vessels are utensils were made of silver there was a less chance of acquiring an infection. Those individuals that used silver during the 14th century bubonic plague had a higher chance of survival. Thus, the phrase, "Born with a silver spoon in your mouth" was used.

Prior to antibiotic discovery, colloidal silver was used to treat many infections. There are reports of its use on the battlefield during the Civil War. The colloidal silver works as a catalyst disabling the enzyme of oxygen metabolism for all viruses, bacteria, parasites and fungi. Once the discovery of antibiotics came along, colloidal silver use diminished and almost disappeared from use. I started to use oral colloidal silver when working the late Robert Atkins, MD for the atypical bacteria. Dr. Atkins and others at that time referred to these bacteria as 'Sleath bacteria.' I used it frequently for infections with the mycoplasma, chlamydia and legionella 'atypical' bacteria.

I have used and continue to use colloidal silver for many infections including parasites, sinus infections, rashes, shingles, Lyme disease, other spirochete disease. HIV and even cancer. I can be given intravenously. It is not the cure all, but neither are antibiotics. We have many resistant strains due to overuse and abuse of the more powerful antibiotics. There are also herbal antibiotics like garlic, chaparral honey, ginger, yarrow and many more.

Until tomorrow…

FEBRUARY 14, 2022 OLD ACQUAINTANCES

As a physician I always discuss if the patient has any hobbies. I feel a hobby is necessary to boost self esteem, as well as relaxing It can be your way to chill and enjoy a little time for yourself

The year is 1943 The film is " Old Acquaintance" The character of Kit Marlowe ( Bette Davis) returns to her hometown to lecture as a newly successful author and to meet her dear childhood friend/ rival Millie ( Miriam Hopkins ) The friends have distinctly opposite personalities, Kit is witty perceptive, wry and calm, while Millie is intense, self-involved and histrionic. Together they embark on a journey that changes both of their lives.

After watching this movie my best friend and I started to embark on our own journey. We call it " Old Acquaintances" in recognition of the movie we loved.

It is a website where our own creative hobbies can be shown to you. Each of us has our own distinct hobbies: One does quilting, while the other does needlepoint. Both have been collecting antiques and vintage items for years in their respective homes. Both are also beekeepers.

So we decided to create a web site where we can sell our quilts, needlepoints, antiques/Bric a brac and products of our beehive. The products of our beehive are in our Apothecary. The apothecary is affiliated with Botanical Bounty in New York CIty.  www.oldacquaintances.com

We hope you enjoy our creative hobbies 

Until tomorrow

FEBRUARY 10, 2022 BEING PROACTIVE ABOUT CANCER : GALLERI

Today, the majority of cancers are found out too late, and the results are too often deadly. The unscreened cancers drive the majority of cancer deaths in the United States.

The earlier that cancer is diagnosed, the greater the chance of successful treatment and survival There are several cancer types, such as breast, colorectal, prostate and lung can be detected through screening tests. However, the majority of cancer deaths each year are from cancers with no routine screening, So what do you do >

We are now offering the Galleri test which is for multi-cancer early detection. This is what the test can do:

1. can detect many of the unscreened cancer that cause 71 % of cancer deaths

2. Detects a cancer signal across more than 50 types of cancer with a low false positive rate of 0.5 %

3. Predicts where the cancer originated with high accuracy to help guide next steps to make a definitive diagnosis

4. It is simple and easy- a blood draw

5. An example of some of the cancers detected are carcinoma of the appendix, bile duct carcinoma, colon and rectum, anal, lung, small intestine, pancreas and many more

Call our office in NYC 212 421 3202 or in CT 203 717 1339 today to set up your Galleri test. This test can save your life

Until tomorrow…

FEBRUARY 9, 2022 HERBS FOR THE GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT

The removal of inflaming or offending foods is the key in patients who are allergic, but this is one approach. My other approach is to take the HERBAL approach.

Two MUSTS are probiotics (friendly bacteria) and glutamine. I prefer powder form as the irritated gut needs soft repair and restoring abilities. It is a lot easier with a powder versus capsules or tablets.

I have been taught to use an antimicrobial tea (per many conferences at either Southwest Botanical Conference in Tempe AZ or the Medicine of the Earth conference in Asheville NC)

This tea consists of :

1. Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice)

2. Matricaria recutia (Chamomile)

3. Foeniculum vulgare (Fennel)

4. Organum vulgare (Majoram)

I would mix equal parts of the above herbs (about 2-4 oz) and drink 1-2 cups per /day. The first two herbs, chamomile and licorice help rebuild the digestive mucosa and reduce the frequency and intensity of the GERD.

There is an herb called Hamamelis that tightens the lower esophageal sphincter. This is one of the digestive barks. Of all the major systems in the body, I feel there are more herbs that can alleviate problems of the digestive system. I often utilize Weiss's Herbal Medicine text among others to mix/match herbs that I frequently use. There are simple demulcents for esophagitis (a precursor to GERD). These herbs can be used as teas or syrups. These are Althea, Ulmus and Symphytum

Until tomorrow

FEBRUARY 8, 2022 STINGING NETTLES

I love the plant, Urtica dioica. It is known by many names . Some names are common nettles, stinging nettles, or greater nettle. These plants are weedy perennials and are common in North America, Europe Asia and even Africa. These plants are from the family Urticaceae. One of the courses I took at the New York Botanical Gardens after I finished my Botanical Medicine Program was Botanical Latin. In college I not only studied Latin, but was a teaching assistant for first and second year Latin students. When I think back I do not know how I did that, but it was NOT IMPOSSIBLE. The Latin word for nettle is urtica. The medical term for painful or intense hives is called Urticaria.

The tiny fine hairs on some of the nettle plants deliver a sting. Thus, the name Stinging Nettles. These hairs are like fine hypodermic needle injections. Ouch!!!

Two compounds that are delivered with its sting are tartaric acid and oxalic acid. Both are irritating to the skin. These compounds are also found in some fruits and vegetables. There is a tiny amount of formic acid which is found in bee and ant venom. I use bee venom a lot in my practice

What I find odd is that the relief for the stings comes from the sap of the crushed leaves. In the United States we have it easy with the stinging nettles. One of the most potent nettle plants are the Tree Nettles from Australia and New Zealand. This plant also called Ongaonga, can cause blistering, a severe rash and intense stings. Animals that come in contact with this plant often die.

Nettle leaves are used for allergies, sinusitis and to decease inflammation

Until tomorrow